Holding or retaining device.



PAIJENATED MAR. 10, 1908.

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B. 11.0mm, ap m mls'rnmmx, HOLDINGOR RETAINING DEVICE.

I-AIPPLIGATION FILED MAB. 29.1907.

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11.881462. PATENTED MA .1 '1 8. s. P. GRAIG, DEGD. 90

B. D. 01mm, ADMINISTBATEIX. v HOLDING 0R RETAINING DEVICE.

APPLIGATIONPILED M AR.29,.1907

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. BEATRICE DOANE CRAIG, OF BRCOKLYN, NEW YORK, ADMINISTRATRIX OF SERIN POTTER CRAIG, DECEASED.

HOLDING OR RETAINING DEVICE.

Patented March 10, 1908.

Application filed. March 29, 1907. Serial N 0. 365,432.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BEATRICE DOANE CRAIG, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, am administratrix of the estate of SERIN POTTER CRAIG, late a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, deceased, and who did invent certain new and useful Improvements in Holding or Betaining Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the artto which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the aocom anying drawings, and to characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has reference, generally, to that class of fastening or retaining devices commonly employed with straps, bands, or the like, of the various kinds, such as are used in the construction of harness, or in hose-supporters, and which may be used also with trunk-straps, shawl straps, and the like; and, the present invention relates, more particularly, to the novel constructions of fastening or retaining devices of the gen-' eral character hereinafter more fully set forth, with the purposes in view ofproviding a device or element which may takethe place of an ordinary buckle and may be adjustably used with one or more parts of a strap, or may be employed as a connecting device or loop for securing the strap to anotherstrap, or some other device, such as a snap-hook or other suitable fixture or device.

The present invention, therefore, has for its principal object to provide a novel and simply constructed fastening or retaining device or element, for the purposes of suitably and adjustably connecting various parts of a strap together, or for the purpose of attaching or connecting the strap to another fixture, and to provide a device which may be used in place of the usual buckle and tongue and which is readily and positively secured and'held in its engaged relation with the strap, without any danger of the device or element slipping from its holding or retaining engagement with relation to the part or parts of the strap with which the device is employed.

furthermore, to provide a simply constructed device or element which is easily applied to the strap or band and is movably and adjustably disposed upon any part or parts of the strap or band.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention.

With the various objects of the present invention in view, the same consists, primarily, in the novel fastening or retaining device of the general scope and character hereinafter set forth; and, furthermore, this invention consists in the various arrangements and combinations of parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, all of which will be more fully described in the accom anying specification, and then finally embo ied in the clauses of the claims which are appended to and which form an essential art of the specification.

.T e invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan v1ew ofa strap or band provided with a fastening or retaining device or element, and a air of end-fasteners or loops, all of said devices being represented in plan and-all embodying the principles of this lnvention. Fig. 2 is an edge or s1de view of the stra and several forms of retaining devices or loops, shown in said Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken centrally'through the strap and the devices or elements which are connected to and used with the strap or band. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the main fastening or retaining device or element, detached from the strap or band; and Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the 'two forms of end-fasteners or loo s, when detached form the strap or band, sai three last-mentioned views all being made on an enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a strap or band and a fastening or retaining device, showing another modified of the fastening or retaining device shown 'in said Figs. 7, 8 and 9, but represented detached from the strap or band. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a strap or band and a fastening or retaining device, showing still another modified form and construction of device embodying the principles of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a side view of the strap or band and the fastening device or element which is-represented in said Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken centrally through said strap and the device; and Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the faste'ning or retaining device shown in said Figs. 11, 12 and 13, but represented detached from the strap or band.

Similar characters of reference are emloyed in all of the above described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the reference-character 1 indicates any suitable strap or band, such as forms part of a harness, or a garment or hose supporter, or a trunk or shawl strap, 2 is a main body-fastener or retaining device or element, and 3 and 4 indicate two forms of end-loops or devices which may be used with the strap or band, all of said devices or elements 2, 8, and 4 being made according to and embodying the princi les of the present invention. The said a ove-mentioned main body-fastener or retaining device or element 2 is usually and preferably made from suitable wire, and said device or element com rises a centrally disposed and longitudinalTy extending member 5, forming a free endmember, from which extends a member 6, preferably at a right angle to said member 5. Connected with said member 6 is a side-piece or member 7, and extending from said side-piece or member 7 is an end-piece or member 8, with which is connected another side-piece or member 9, with which is connected a laterally extending center-piece or member 10. Said center-piece or member 10 has connected therewith, at its opposite end-portion, a longitudinally extending side-piece or member 1 1, the same being approximately in alinement with the side-piece or member 7. Another laterally extending centeriece or member 12 extends from the said side-piece or member 11, substantially as shown, said oenter-piece or member 12 terminating in still another side-piece or member 13, which extends longitudinally and is approximately in alinement with the side-piece or member 9. Connected with and extending laterally from said side-piece or member 13 is an endpiece or member 14, with which is connected at its opposite end-portion a short side-piece or member 15, forming a shank which ter minates at or near the junction of the sidepiece or member 11 and the center-piece or member 12, as clearly illustrated in the several figures of the drawings. In this manner, a fastening or retaining device or element 2 has been produced which is provided with three loop-shaped portions or receiving members 16, 17 and 18, substantially as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and in which the various parts of the strap or band 1 are adjustably arranged and connected with the device or element 2, substantially in the manner illustratml in said Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, and as will be hereinafter more particularly described.

The loop-shaped end-devicc or member 3, which is also preferably made of wire, eonsists, essentially, of a side-piece or member 19 with which is connected a laterally extending end-piece or member 20, formed at its opposite end with alongitudinally extending side-piece or member 21. Connected with this sid.epiece or member 21 is another laterally extending centcrpiece or member 22, an are or loop-shaped piece or member 23 being connected with said piece or member 22, substantially as shown. At its opposite end-portion, the are or loop-shaped endpiece or member 23 is connected with a laterally extending center-piece or member 24, located approximately beneath the centerpiece or member 22, and terminating in a longitudinally extending sid.epiece or member 25, which is located beneath the sidepiece or member 19. Suitably connected. with the side-piece or member 25, and lo cated beneath the laterally extending endpiece or member 20, is another laterally extending end-piece or member 26, which terminates at its free end in a short and longitudinally extending sid.epiece or member 27, as clearly illustrated. In this manner, a fastening or retaining end-loop 3 has been produced which is provided with three loopshaped portions or receiving members 28, 29

and 30, the two portions or members 29 and 30 being located one above the other, in which the various parts of the strap or band 1 are adjustably arranged as shown, and in the manner to be presently set forth.

The loop-shaped end-device or member 4', which is also preferably made from wire, consists, essentially, of a longitudinally extending end piece or member 31 with which is connected a laterally extending end-piece or member 32. This end-picce or member 32 is provided with a longitudinally extending side-piece or member 33, from which extends a laterally extending center-piece or member 34 which terminates in an arc or ringshaped piece or member 35, formed with a laterally extending end-piece or member 36, the free end-portion 37 of which is sprung beneath the part 38, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings. In this manner, another loop-shaped end-device 4 has been roduced which is provided with three loopaped portions or receivingmembers 39, 40 and 41, in which the endportions of the strap or band 1 may be arranged as shown, and secured in the manner presently described. Y

The manner of arranging and securing the various devices or elements 2, 3 and 4 in their relative and operative positions upon the various parts of the strap or band briefly is as follows: In a suitable part of the strap or band, preferably at or near one end of the same, is a hole or perforation 42 by means of which the end-portion 43 of the strap or band can be arranged and secured upon the endpiece or member 5 of the device 2, so that the said end-portion of the strap or band will pass in an upward direction through the receiving member or loop-shaped portion 16 of the device 2. The stra or band is then passed over and around t e piece or member 10 and turned downwardly through the re ceiving-member or loop-shaped portion 17, as at 44, so that the part 45 of the strap or band is arranged beneath the pieces or members 10, 5 and 16 of the device 2. This part 45 of the strap or band then extends in the direction shown and is passed through the receiving-members or loop-shaped portions 29, 28 and 30, in the order mentioned, thus providing a curved end-portion 46 which is arranged about the pieces or members 20, 22, 24 and 26, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The strap or band is then assed in a forward direction, as at 47, throug the receiving-member or loopshaped portion 17 and around the piece or member 12 of the device 2, and returns rearwardly, as at 48 beneath the part 47 of the strap or band and around the part 46, being then passed through the receiving-member or loop-shaped portion 28 of the device 3, and bacr, as at 49, over the part 45 and into and through the receiving member or loopshaped portion 16 of the device 2. The strap or band is then arranged over the curved portions of the strap or band, and downwardly into and through the receivingmember or loop-shaped portion 18 of the device 2, so that the end-piece or member 14 will be placed upon the upper face of the strap or band, as illustrated at 50 in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The main bodyportion 51 of the strap or band 1 then exend-portion 52 of the strap or band 1, the

strap or band is passed through the receiving member or loop-shaped portion 39, so that the member 32 will rest upon the upper face of the strap or band, the portion 53 of the strap then being passed over the member or piece 34 into the receiving member or loop-shaped portion 41, around the piece or member 36, and then back over the member or piece 34, so that the two portions of the band or strap will be held in their doubled relation shown in the several figures of the drawings, whereby the device 4 is securely held in its position, but at the same time is adjustable with relation to the end-portion (if the strap or band, as will be clearly evient.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive,

in which strap or band 1 is provided with a modified construction of fastening or retaining device, in which the reference-character 56 indicates a longitudinally extending and centrally disposed shank, from which proj ects a laterally extending center-member or piece 57. Connected with said piece or member 57 is a longitudinally extending side member or piece 58, and a laterally extending end-member or piece 59 connects the member or piece 58 with another longitudinally extendin side-member or piece 60. Connected with this side-member or piece 60 is another laterally extending center-member or piece 61 which is providedwith aforwardly extending side-member or piece 62, with which is connected a laterally extending endmember or piece 63, provided with the rearwardly extending side-piece or member 64. In this manner, a device provided with three receiving members or loop-shaped portions 65, 66 and 67, the parts 62, 63 and 64 being located in a plane, preferably at an angle to the plane in which the parts 56, 57, 58, 59 and 60 are disposed.

In arranging and securing the device 55 to the strap or band 1, the end 68 of the strap is provided with a hole or perforation 69, so that the .end of the strap can be arranged upon the piece or member 56. The'various parts 70, 71 and 72 are then arranged substantially in the manner shown in Figs. 8 and 9lof the drawings whereby the various parts are positively connected, but at the same time the device 55 is adjustably disposed with relation to the remaining parts of the strap or band.

In Figs. 11 to 14 of the drawings, there is shown still another slightly modified construction of device or element, as 73, which,

&

however, in all respects is similar to the con struction of the device represented in said Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, except that the various side and centerpieces or members are arranged in the same plane, instead of in two angularly disposed planes in the manner indicated in said Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive. In this construction of the device or element 73 represented in said Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive, the side-piece or member 64 is provided with an additional and inwardly extending binding member or piece 7 4 which extends across the face of the strap or band, and prevents the slipping of the parts when in use.

From the foregoing description of the present invention it will be clearly seen, that a simply constructed holding or connecting device or element, usually and preferably made from wire, has been produced, which can be used in connection with any kinds of straps or bands, no matter for what use they are intended, the holding or coupling or connecting devices or elements being easily secured in position, without having to be sewed on or riveted fast, the devices being held by their frictional contact with the faces of the strap or band.

I claim:

1. A fastening or retaining device for straps and the like, consisting of a frame-like body made of wire, said body comprising a pair of end-members, and a pair of centermembers, and side pieces connecting said center-members with the respective endmembers, and one of said side-members being formed with a laterally extending member provided with a longitudinally extending shank over which the perforated end-portion of the strap is to be arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A fastening or retaining device for straps and the like, consisting of a frame-like body made of wire, said body comprising a pair of end-members, and a pair of centermembers, a connecting side-member between said center-members, and a connecting sidemember between each center-member and each end member, all arranged to provide a series of loop-shaped receiving portions in which parts of a strap are adapted to be inserted and arranged in frictional engagement with said center-members and the end-members, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. A fastening or retaining device for straps and the like, consisting of a frame-like body made of wire, said body comprising a pair of end-members, and a pair of centermembers, a connecting side-member between said center-members, and. a connecting sidemember between each center-member and each end-member, all arranged to provide a series of loop shaped receiving portions in which parts of a strap are adapted to be inserted and arranged in frictional engagement with said center-members and the end-members, and one of said side-members being formed with a laterally extending member provided with a longitudinally extending shank over which the perforated end portion of the strap is to be arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. A fastening or retaining device for straps and the like, consisting of a frame-like body made of wire, said body comprising a pair of end-members, and a pair of center members, a connecting side-member between said center-members, and a connecting sidemember between each center-member and each end-member, a longitudinal and inwardly extending side-member connected with one of said end-members, and a laterally extending member extending from said lastmentioned side-member, all arranged to provide a series of loop-shaped receiving portions in which parts of a strap are adapted to be inserted and arranged in frictional engagement with said center-members and the side-members, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A fastening or retaining device for straps and the like, consisting of a frame-like body made of wire, said body comprising a pair of end-members, and a pair of centermembers, a connecting side-member between said center-members, and a connecting sidemember between each center-member and each end-member, a longitudinal and inwardly extending side-member connected with one of said end-members, and a laterally extending member extending from said. last mentioned side-member, all arranged to provide a series of loop-shaped receiving portions in which parts of a strap are adapted to be inserted and arranged in frictional engagement with said center-members and the side-members, combined with means on said last-mentioned laterally extending member for attachment of the end-portion of the strap thereto, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A fastening or retaining device for straps and the like, consisting of a frame-like body made of wire, said body comprising a pair of end-members, and a pair of centermembers, a connecting side-member between said center-members, and a connecting sidemember between each center-member and each end-member, a longitudinal and inwardly extending side-member connected with one of said end-members, and a laterally extending member extending from said lastmentioned side-member, all arranged to provide a series of loop-shaped receiving portions in which parts of a strap are adapted to be inserted and arranged in frictional en- I 5 over which the perforated end-portion of the this 27th day of March, 1907.

BEATRICE DOANE CRAIG, Admtntstmtrim.

Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAEN-TZEL, ANNA H. ALTER.

strap is to be arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony thatl claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand 

